Abstract: A video distribution technique permits individual subscribers to pay a nominal fee to follow celebrities and receive videos directly therefrom. An individual may qualify as a broadcaster by having a sufficient fan base as measured by the number of followers in existing social media services. The broadcaster uploads video to a central processing service where it may be transcoded to a convenient communication protocol for distribution. In addition, a warning message is sent to all subscribers of a particular broadcaster to indicate the impending arrival of an incoming video from the broadcaster. In one embodiment, the user will not receive any video unless they transmit an acknowledgement to the push text notification. In an alternative embodiment, the subscriber will receive all videos automatically unless they respond to the push text notification to opt out of receiving the video.

Abstract: A system and method for intelligent content searching is disclosed herein. The system saves all searches executed by the user and periodically re-executes one or more of the previously saved searches and display the subsequent search results to the user at an appropriate time without any user intervention. In one aspect, the system periodically re-executes one or more of the previously saved searches upon the occurrence of a trigger event, which may be trending events, news events, type of menus and/or screens accessed, new content being added on one or more service providers, a boot event, passage of time since last search, etc. In this way, users do not need to set alert or follow any search topic.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for broadcasting video in a dual HDR/LDR format such that the video can be displayed in real time by both LDR and HDR display devices. Methods and devices of the invention process streams of pixels from multiple sensors in a frame-independent manner to produce an HDR video signal in real time. That HDR video signal is then tone-mapped to produce an LDR video signal, the LDR signal is subtracted from the HDR signal to calculate a residual signal, and the LDR signal and the residual signal are merged into a combined signal that is broadcast via a communications network.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering targeted advertisements into a QAM or IP stream that provides accurate synchronization. The method includes synchronizing the internal content of a IP stream delivering video with an advertisement (ad) stream by providing content information in the IP stream and the network stream, the content information including positional information and/or referential information, wherein the positional information is inserted at key locations identified with a PTS value, and wherein the referential information refers to a position in the IP stream or the ad stream, the referential information including either a PTS value or a frame count.

Abstract: The various examples described herein generally provide systems and methods for generating a hybrid electronic programming guide (EPG) that includes both broadcast content and other types of content, such as over-the-top (OTT) content. In examples, broadcast content may be content provided by a satellite, terrestrial, or cable television provider. Other types of content, e.g., the OTT content, may be content that is delivered over an open network, such as the Internet. In examples, a secure processor may be employed to determine if a subscriber is authorized to access the OTT content based on subscription information received via a broadcast transmission.

Abstract: A method is provided for a reception apparatus to access non-real-time (NRT) content. The method includes receiving, by the reception apparatus, a selection of the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast by a content source. The reception apparatus determines whether the selected NRT content is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus. When the selected NRT content is determined not to be stored in the memory, the reception apparatus determines whether the selected NRT content can be downloaded from an external device that is accessible via a communication network. When the selected NRT content is determined to be downloadable from an external device that is accessible via the communication network, the reception apparatus downloads the selected NRT content from the external device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a light source that includes a diffusion plate and, in operation, emits, toward a subject, pulsed light that diverges; a photodetector that includes a photoelectric converter that, in operation, receives light from the subject and converts the light to an electric charge and an electric charge accumulator that, in operation, accumulates the electric charge, and, in operation, generates an electric signal based on the accumulated electric charge; and a control circuit that, in operation, controls the light source and the photodetector. The control circuit, in operation, causes the electric charge accumulator to start accumulating the electric charge when a period of time has passed after the control circuit has caused the light source to start emitting the pulsed light, and causes the electric charge accumulator to accumulate the electric charge corresponding to a component, among the light from the subject, that is scattered inside the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for planning, executing, reviewing, and reporting the results of an advertising campaign to be run on TV. A demand-side platform receives ad slot opportunities from TV programming sources, and analyzes the ad slots to produce a prioritized list of placement opportunities for the advertising campaign to be presented to advertiser/clients. Each ad slot is analyzed with respect to past viewership data and with respect to desired targeting characteristics that may include conventional age and gender targeting, or additionally strategic targeting characteristics. Scores are established for each ad slot with respect to numbers of projected on-target impressions and/or a cost for projected on-target impressions. The scores are sorted to produce the prioritized list. Projected results can be viewed with respect to any or all of network, day, and daypart. After a campaign has completed, viewership data representing actual results is acquired, processed, and reported.

Abstract: In embodiments of broadcast content to HTTP client conversion, a client converter receives video content as an input of broadcast content data streams from a content distribution system. The client converter can join a content data stream of the broadcast input, and convert the content data stream to unicast HTTP data, such as video content segments that are buffered for communication to a client device or to a media player of a client device. An HTTP server of the client converter can then communicate the unicast HTTP data to the client device or to the media player for playback of the video content.

Abstract: A method of operating a video services receiver involves the processing of video data for presentation on a display element associated with the video services receiver. During presentation of the video event, a screenshot command is received at the video services receiver. The screenshot command originates from a remote control device assigned to the video services receiver. In response to receiving the screenshot command, a currently displayed image on the display element is captured as a saved screenshot. The method continues by providing a screenshot sharing user interface for presentation on the display element. The user interface includes at least one interactive control to facilitate sharing of the saved screenshot from the video services receiver. The method continues by outputting the saved screenshot from the video services receiver in association with a selected sharing application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a communication interface to receive metering data from a media monitor. The metering data includes a first subset of a series of metadata tags extracted from media played on a presentation device. The first subset includes a first metadata tag extracted proximate in time to a media event associated with the media. The metering data omits a second subset of the series of metadata tags extracted from the media. Each of the metadata tags in the series of metadata tags embedded in a different portion of the media. The media monitor extracts each of the metadata tags from the media when the corresponding different portion of the media is played. The apparatus also includes an analyzer to analyze the metering data to determine exposure of an audience of the presentation device to the media.

Abstract: A distribution system for transmitting media content programs to premises equipment via a satellite transmission path addresses signal degradation caused by atmospheric conditions and other factors. Upon detection of a degradation of the satellite signal, the system may begin transmitting the content using an alternative signal path, such as a terrestrial IP network. The satellite transmission path is brought back on line after the satellite link is restored. Alternatively, the system may begin recording the signal in the media distribution system for transmission via the satellite link after the link is restored.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, distributing, and/or presenting social networking content in conjunction with video content are described. In accordance with various embodiments, social networking related information, e.g., comments, remarks and/or a twitter feed, are displayed in conjunction with the display of video to which the social networking information relates. The social networking related information may be displayed on the same or a different device from that which is used to display the video comments. In some embodiments, the social networking information, e.g., comments on a program, event or broadcast, are displayed on a personal computer or other device such as a mobile telephone, while video content is being viewed, e.g., on a television which is provided video content via a set top box. A knowledgeable moderator can review, supplement, add and delete comments in real time enhancing the overall social networking session.

Abstract: A method of transmission by a surveillance device to a control room, via a telecommunications network, of a series of images, includes steps, implemented by the surveillance device, of acquisition of a series of images, of coding of the series of images acquired into a series of base video frames including a first quantity of information and into at least one series of enhancement video frames of the series of base video frames, the series of enhancement video frames including a second quantity of information making it possible to enhance the quality of the series of images coded into the series of base video frames, of transmission in real time via the telecommunications network of at least the series of base video frames to the control room, and of storage of at least the series of enhancement video frames.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing data bandwidth between a cloud server and a thin client. The method comprises: rendering a base layer image or video stream at the thin client, transmitting an enhancement layer image or video stream from the cloud server to the thin client, displaying a composite layer image or video stream on the thin client, the composite layer being based on the base layer and the enhancement layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to enable users to perform transactions such as purchasing items or receiving information regarding items depicted within a content stream, where the content stream may be received from a content provider and provided to an output device. Transactions may be performed by a user that may or may not be associated with a content provider or associated with an item offering service. In one example, a content stream may be analyzed to detect a depiction of an item, and a user may operate a user interface overlaid onto the displayed content stream to perform transactions such as initiating a purchase or requesting more information on the detected items.

Abstract: A system is configured to perform a method which is also disclosed, to provide a user interface. The user interface is presented as a visual overlay that provides options for selecting content, such as any audio and/or visual media, any streaming media, any live or other television or on demand show(s) or content that may be on a selected programming channel. The user interface may be configured for displaying a channel listing as a channel bar, and a show listing as tiles in an expanded listing area. The expanded listing area may include one or more current or future shows available via a selected channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method sends videos to a user that is using a video delivery service. The method receives user behavior that includes actions taken by the user on the video delivery service. The method inputs the user behavior into a first predictor to generate a set of actions for a set of entities. Also, the method inputs the set of actions for the set of entities, a real-time context, and the user behavior into a second predictor to generate probabilities for the set of actions for the set of entities. A probability for an action indicates the probability the user would select that action for an entity when compared against other actions in the set of actions for the set of entities. An action feed is selected based on the ranking and dynamically output to a client while the user is using the video delivery service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing personal media using a digital recorder transfers multimedia content via email to a digital video recorder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying objects displayed in a media asset are provided. First and second parental control restrictions associated with first and second users within a perceivable range of a user equipment device are retrieved. The first parental control restriction enables access to content associated with a first authorization level and the second parental control restriction enables access to content associated with a second authorization level. A common authorization level that does not violate the first and second parental control restrictions is identified. A media asset that satisfies the common authorization level is presented to the first and second users in a first form. Supplemental content associated with the media asset that violates the second parental control restriction but does not violate the first parental control restriction is selected. The supplemental content is presented in a second form while the media asset is being presented in the first form.